The B.C. government scored a big win on Thursday with Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new list of “nation-building” projects.

Not only did the province get two of the five slots for major projects, it also got a sweeping pledge from Carney to push interprovincial energy ties, critical minerals and land conservation in northeastern B.C.

Just as importantly, though, was what wasn’t on the list: a new oil pipeline from Alberta. That didn’t make the cut—partly because of the lack of a proponent, but also because Carney said he wants to prioritize large-scale carbon storage for the oil sands first.

Either way, it was good news for Premier David Eby, who has made clear he does not support the idea. A political showdown on whether Eby could block an oil pipeline deemed in the national interest has been avoided. For now.

With that off the table, there was much for BC New Democrats to be pleased about Thursday. Carney selected LNG Canada’s phase two in Kitimat and the expansion of the Red Chris copper and gold mine 80 kilometres south of Dease Lake as his B.C. major projects.

“This will directly help transform our country into an energy superpower,” said Carney.

In actuality, neither project needs Ottawa’s direct help in permitting.

LNG........

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